Buka Passage is a narrow strait that separates Buka Island from the northern part of Bougainville Island. A number of shipwrecks are located in the passage.
The aerial photograph on the right, taken in 1943, shows the Buka Passage between Bougainville (left) and Buka (right) islands. Two Japanese airfields are visible, Buka airfield (center) and Bonis airfield (left). Today Buka airfield is Bougainville's major airport whereas Bonis is disused since World War II.